Kural #381
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Tamil text
படைகுடி கூழமைச்சு நட்பரண் ஆறும்
உடையான் அரசருள் ஏறு
Paṭaikuṭi kūḻamaiccu naṭparaṇ āṟum
Uṭaiyāṉ aracaruḷ ēṟu
English translation
A king who possesses all six - army, citizens, wealth, ministers, allies, and fortress - is a lion among rulers.
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Explanation
The wealth section opens with the six அங்கங்கள் (elements) of kingship: படை (army), குடி (citizens), கூழ் (wealth/food), அமைச்சு (ministers), நட்பு (allies), அரண் (fortress). The complete king is an ஏறு (lion/bull) among rulers.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 381 ஒரு நல்ல அரசனுக்குத் தேவையான ஆறு கூறுகளைச் சொல்கிறது. படை, மக்கள், செல்வம், அமைச்சர், நட்பு, கோட்டை இவை இருந்தால், அவன் அரசர்களுள் சிங்கம் போல வலிமை உடையவன். இவை இருந்தால் நாட்டைச் சிறப்பாக ஆளலாம்.
Word meanings
- படைpaṭaiarmy
- குடிkuṭicitizens
- கூழ்kūḻwealth/food
- அமைச்சுamaiccuministers
- நட்புnaṭpuallies
- அரண்araṇfortress
- ஆறும்āṟumall six
- உடையான்uṭaiyāṉone who possesses
- அரசருள்aracaruḷamong kings
- ஏறுēṟulion/bull
Story behind this kural
King Alaric surveyed his kingdom. His army, strong and loyal, stood ready. His people, prosperous and content, filled the marketplace. The royal granaries overflowed, ensuring plenty for all. His wise ministers offered sound counsel, and his alliances with neighboring kingdoms brought peace. Finally, the sturdy fortress walls protected his realm. One day, a neighboring warlord, envious of Alaric's success, attacked. The warlord’s army, though larger, was undisciplined. His people, burdened by taxes, lacked spirit. His advisors whispered only of personal gain. His allies were fickle, and his own fortresses were poorly maintained. Alaric's well-equipped army, supported by the grateful populace, fought with courage. His ministers' strategic advice guided the defense, while his allies sent reinforcements. The warlord's assault crumbled against the strength of Alaric's kingdom. Peace returned, and Alaric's reign continued, a beacon of prosperity and strength.